Administration

NEPC Administrative Team

Jack McDonald, NHA – CEO/CFO

For more than 25 years, Jack McDonald has been working at New England Pediatric Care, overseeing the operations of the skilled nursing facility for medically fragile children. As CEO/CFO, Jack ensures that the facility delivers the highest quality care, and prepares the organization to adopt new technologies to assume the broad range of care needed to support NEPC residents. Jack received his Nursing Home Administrators license in 1998 and has held several other senior management positions in care facilities in the area. Jack received his BS in Management from Franklin Pierce College.

Lauren Mazerall, M.S. CCC-SLP, LNHA – President-Executive Director

Natalie McGonagle, RN – Vice President-Director of Clinical Operations

In this role, Natalie oversees all clinical needs at New England Pediatric Care. Natalie brings 15 years of progressive nurse leadership experience and has worked in diverse healthcare settings, including pediatric home care, mental health, senior living and special population community care. One of Natalie’s greatest joys in nursing is providing education and mentorship to fellow healthcare professionals. She is a believer in the power of knowledge-sharing and creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. She is committed to the high quality of care that New England Pediatric Care is known for and enjoys working collaboratively with all members of the care team.

Mary K. Whalen, RN – Director of Nursing

Mary is Director of Nursing at New England Pediatric Care, and has held this role since 2003.  In year’s prior, Mary started her nursing career as a Nursing Assistant at New England Pediatric Care where she discovered her passion for working with medically complex multi-handicapped children. During Mary’s successful nursing career, she became an RN and worked in several skilled nursing and pediatric facilities. She held a wide range of positions including staff nurse, a head nurse and a nurse supervisor before coming back to her roots and rejoining New England Pediatric Care as the Director of Nursing.

Nancy Hawkins, MA, OTR/L – Director of Rehabilitation 

For the last 20 years, Nancy has been the Director of Rehabilitation overseeing the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Recreational Therapy Programs. Following her desire to work in pediatrics, she came to NEPC with more than 15 years experience as an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR), including management roles. It was her first OT job where she discovered her passion working with severely disabled children, and learned how OT plays a key role in addressing the many challenges for this population. Prior to NEPC, she was an OTR at state residential facilities for developmental disabilities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, providing services to children and adults. Nancy also worked as a school-based OTR in the Boston Public schools with children with severe developmental disabilities.  Nancy received her BS in OT from UNH, MA in Health Care Administration from Framingham State.   

Amy M. Gagnon M.Ed. –  Director of Education

Amy joined New England Pediatric Care as Director of Education in January 2015.  Amy  has dedicated her career to working with children and young adults with special needs.   Amy has worked in both the public and private sectors of special education.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and her Graduate degree in Special Education at Salem State College.  Throughout the past decade, Amy has held numerous roles in Special Education including Special Educator, Professional Development Coordinator and Assessment Specialist.  Amy is committed to ensuring  students have access to an appropriate, challenging and meaningful education in specialized schools. Amy is a licensed Special Education Administrator and Principal and is very excited to work with the teachers and students here at New England Pediatric Care.

Ashley Richard, MSW, LCSW – Director of Social Work

Ashley joined New England Pediatric Care’s team in July of 2021. Ashley has become an integral member of the team at NEPC and has enjoyed building relationships with the residents at New England Pediatric Care as well as their families. She is a strong advocate who addresses both the psychosocial and concrete needs for the residents and their families. She received her Bachelor’s degrees in family studies and psychology at the University of New Hampshire and her master’s degree in social work at Salem State University. Previously, she worked as a Kindergarten teacher as well as in early intervention, working with developmentally delayed children and their families.

Megan Harris, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Megan Harris is the Director of Therapeutic Recreation (CTRS) at New England Pediatric Care. Megan takes great pride in bringing joy to the residents, staff and our NEPC families. Megan individualizes the residents plan of care and finds creative ways to enrich their lives. Prior to joining NEPC, Megan worked at a day habilitation program and as a community advocate for individuals with brain injury. Megan received her bachelor’s degree at St Ambrose University and furthered her education in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee.